The Venice Film Festival is back as Hollywood has arrived on the Lido in style Wednesday.
The 83rd edition of the world’s oldest film festival officially kicked off with the world premiere of Danny Boyle’s “Ink,” and the opening-day red carpet was hardly short on A-list wattage, including stars Guy Pearce and Claire Foy.
The Netflix drama, which opens the festival in competition, stars Pearce as media mogul Rupert Murdoch and Jack O’Connell as Sun editor Larry Lamb in a story about Murdoch’s 1969 acquisition of the British tabloid and the transformation of the country’s newspaper industry. Boyle, Pearce and O’Connell were among the “Ink” contingent turning out for the premiere, while Venice also rolled out the red carpet for the fest’s esteemed jury and other industry titans.
George Clooney is this year’s Golden Lion honoree for lifetime achievement, arriving Wednesday with his wife, Amal Clooney. The Oscar winner’s latest Venice visit comes one year after he premiered “Jay Kelly” at the festival, and his longtime friend and “Jay Kelly” co-star Laura Dern was in attendance to deliver the laudatio for his career honor.
Also commanding attention on the Lido was Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is presiding over this year’s competition jury. The actor and filmmaker opened the festival by addressing the lack of women directors in the competition, arguing that systemic barriers continue to affect which filmmakers receive funding and opportunities.
Elsewhere, The opening-day arrivals also brought music and fashion-world star power, with Colombian superstar J Balvin among the high-profile faces making the rounds, alongside a roster of actors, filmmakers and international celebrities.
There’s plenty more to come. For now, see all the biggest stars, best looks and most memorable arrivals from opening day below.
Maggie Gyllenhaal from the movie ” Flesh Impact” attends the Golden Lion For Lifetime Achievement Award to Ellen Burstyn during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande
US actress Ellen Burstyn receives the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement during the 83rd International Venice Film Festival, on September 7, 2026
(From L) Director Lee Chang-Dong, actor Sul Kyung-gu, actress Jeon Do-yeon, South korean actress Cho Yeo-Jeong and South Korean actor Zo In-Sung attend the red carpet event for the screening of “Possible Love” (Ga-Neung-han sa-rang) presented in competition at the 83rd International Venice Film Festival.
Maggie Gyllenhaal (C) pose with cast and crew of the movie “Flesh Impact” on the red carpet for the Golden Lion For Lifetime Achievement Award to Ellen Burstyn during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse at the 83 Venice International Film Festival 2026, Primetime Red carpet, Venice, Italy
Susan Sarandon and Luca Marinelli attend the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 6, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Michael Fassbender attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 6, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Susan Sarandon and Luca Marinelli
Alicia Vikander attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Susan Sarandon
Irina Shayk from the “Filming Italy Venice Award” attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Malcolm McRae from the “Filming Italy Venice Award” attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Andrea Pallaoro and Luca Marinelli attend “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 6, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Alicia Vikander, Susan Sarandon, Andrea Pallaoro and Luca Marinelli
Orlando Bloom from the “Filming Italy Venice Award” attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Alicia Vikander attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Hostess Greta Scarano attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Gael García Bernal and Ricky Martin of the movie “Hombre Al Agua” attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Michael Fassbender attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Ricky Martin of the movie “Hombre Al Agua” attends the “The Echo Chamber” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)
Rooney Mara (L) and Kate Mara attend the “Bucking Fastard” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, at Sala Grande on September 03, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Rooney Mara, German director Werner Herzog, and Kate Mara at the 83 Venice International Film Festival 2026, at Bucking Fastard Photocall in Venice , Italy
John Malkovich attends the “Wild Horse Nine” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 03, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Greta Scarano attends the “Hombre Al Agua” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 6, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Rooney Mara and Kate Mara at the 83 Venice International Film Festival 2026, at Bucking Fastard Red carpet in Venice, Italy.
Parker Posey at the 83 Venice International Film Festival 2026, at the Wild Horse Nine red carpet in Venice , Italy.
Leslie Bibb and Sam Rockwell at the 83 Venice International Film Festival 2026, at the Wild Horse Nine red carpet in Venice , Italy.
Kendall Jenner at the 83 Venice International Film Festival 2026, at the Wild Horse Nine red carpet in Venice, Italy.
Bill Pullman attends the “The Basics of Philosophy” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 04, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Amanda Seyfried and Mona Fastvold attend the Miu Miu Women’s Tales during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 05, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Amanda Seyfried and Mona Fastvold are seen during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 05, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Gael García Bernal, Artistic Director Alberto Barbera and Diego Luna attend the “Hombre Al Agua” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Giardino on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Diego Luna attends the “Hombre Al Agua” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Giardino on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy.
Esmeralda Pimentel attends the “Hombre Al Agua” Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Giardino on September 06, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage)
Amal Clooney and George Clooney
Laura Dern
Jack O’Connell
Danny Boyle
Alessandra Ambrosio
J Balvin
Jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal
Stella Maxwell
Alana Champion
Rebecca Donaldson
Madisin Rian
Bianca Balti
Alessandro Cutrera and Bianca Balti
Claire Foy
Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Nina Dobrev
